European stock prices are higher in midday trading Thursday.

London's Financial Times index is nearly two percent higher. The CAC-40 in Paris is up more than two and one-half percent, and trading on the DAX index in Frankfurt is up nearly two and one-half percent.

In New York, the S&P futures contract is up eight points, indicating a higher opening.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained just over one and three-quarters percent to finish at 8,669.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose nearly three-quarters of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,181.

Gold is trading at $1,803.13 an ounce.

The dollar is mixed in trading against other major currencies.